Solar industry with strong demand for silver
Producers of solar panels are in need of large quantities of the precious metal.
Markus KochMay 8, 2025
The purchase of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules for private households and companies has increased in the past year. In the US, the tax break for purchasing renewable energy will expire in 2022. Customers use the credit while it is still valid to save money and reduce their carbon footprint at the same time. The expiration date has led to numerous impulse purchases. Customers are now looking for information about their new renewable energy system, including the materials used to make solar panels. Silver is an important PV panel material. Solar companies process silver into a paste that they apply to every silicon wafer. When sunlight hits a panel, the silicon releases electrons. The silver conducts the electricity and thus reaches a building or a battery for storage. Recently, manufacturers have limited the amount of silver in each panel. A recent rise in the price of the metal put solar companies in financial distress. The cost of silver has increased over 70% in the past year. Experts predict that the price will continue to rise as the world reopens after the pandemic. The effects of the price hike can currently be seen in the fact that the use of silver in solar cells fell from 400 milligrams to 130 milligrams between 2007 and 2016. Environmental scientists are also predicting an increase in energy performance rates. Without the most conductive metals, scientists struggle to make the panels more efficient. The required increase in solar efficiency raises the question: "Do solar modules need silver?" Some experts expect that the efficiency of solar cells made of silver will level off where it is currently. The conductive properties of the material are necessary for power generation, which makes it difficult to completely remove. In assessing its need for power generation, we need to examine its conductive properties. Silver is the most electrically conductive metal on the planet. It defines the conductivity scale by holding the 100-level productivity placement, with 0 representing the lowest efficiency. The material is also relatively fireproof, which means it won't spark off as easily. It's also a light metal, so roofs can withstand the weight of a panel. The unique properties of silver make it a valuable part of PV systems. The current efficiency of the modules is between 15 and 20%, which makes silver a necessary factor for expanding energy production. Those skilled in the art expect that advances in technology will increase the power output of the panels. Increasing efficiency while reducing silver consumption requires PV research. Scientists can use near-infrared spectroscopy to measure the reflectivity of certain materials. One company used this technique to evaluate quality control and material efficiency. They found that each element affects performance in a unique way. The researchers mainly focused on the reflectivity of glass. Other professionals can use the technology to study the efficiency of metals. With further evaluations, the scientists can find out whether silver is necessary or whether a similar conductor could be helpful. We need to find cost-effective solutions to support the goals of the Paris Agreement. US President Joe Biden plans to increase the share of renewable energies from the current 2% of solar consumption. If we increase the efficiency rate and lower the prices, the purchase of solar systems for commercial and private households will continue to increase. Many researchers are evaluating solutions for rising silver prices and efficiency rates. Copper is a viable and cost effective option for solar panel conductivity. The material has similar energy-producing properties, but scientists see potential complications. Copper is difficult to process using screen printing, which is a barrier to the use of conventional panels. The researchers also examined the reconstruction of the panels and tried to increase the efficiency. They rebuilt the solar cells by bringing them closer together with leaner connections, thus reducing the necessary silver consumption. Unfortunately, the reconstruction was costly, which limited the ability to increase sales. With further investigation, professionals could discover a sustainable solution to the complications caused by silver.
